Fat Cat Top Five
Top Five Keys to Victory in final Four Games
5.) Pressure opposing quarterback
4.) Limit injuries
3.) Improved special teams play
2.) Win turnover battle
1.) Solid QB play
Bobby’s Crystal Ball
RU men's hoops will win four of its first five games
RB Recruiting
Rutgers commit Jon Lovett was offered by Penn State this week as an athlete and has some ties to the school, which means Rutgers is not out of the woods yet. Lovett could possibly play some safety at the next level and there is still the possibility that he could wind up flipping to Penn State.
In the event that Lovett would flip, Rutgers is in very good standing with Bullis School (Potomac, MD) senior running back Devin Darrington, who is very high on Rutgers. If the RU staff were to make a push for Darrington, there is a good chance he would commit without waiting.
DB still waiting on scores
Weequahic senior defensive back Ihmir Marsette is still waiting on his SAT scores to come back as that may be the only thing standing in his way of becoming a Scarlet Knight. As long as the scores look good, Rutgers would likely put the pressure on and try to get a commit out of Marsette. Those scores should be available this week and things could progress sooner rather than later.
JuCo Recruiting
Rutgers has not been shy about starting to recruit Junior College players in an attempt to bolster its roster for next season. Here is a look at a few of the latest targets.
QB Cole Murphy (Coffeyville – KS)
The Kansas native was a member of the 2015 recruiting class and opted to go the JuCo route. He is a dual-threat quarterback, who is playing backup this year. Rutgers expressed some interest, but it would not be as a scholarship player.
“Coach Blazek came by the office today and we talked about football for a little bit,” Murphy told Scarlet Nation this week. “He talked about Rutgers and how they are looking, and where they plan on being going forward as a team. We also talked about a preferred walk-on opportunity. If I did decide to take that opportunity, I would take a visit first before making any decisions.”
QB Jonathan Banks (Independence CC – KS)
The former four-star prospect committed to Kansas State after playing a year of junior college in California and talked about why he left that program.
“I’m a two-for-two at my next school. I left K-State mainly because of politics, I left for my own reasons. They call me all the time and talk about how they want me back.”
Banks has also begun hearing from a variety of schools and commented on the latest.
“I received an offer from Tulane a couple of days ago. I’m also hearing from Minnesota, Colorado, Rutgers, Utah, SMU, and Texas State. Coach Blazek came and watched me practice, followed me on Twitter, and told me they would be in contact soon. He also mentioned about the possibility of an offer.”
In six games this season, Banks has 531 rushing yards with a 6.4 yard average. He has also completed 60.2% of his passes for 759 yards while throwing for seven touchdowns and five interceptions. Independence is 2-4 so far this season.
TE Sal Cannella (Scottsdale CC - AZ)
The tight end position is in need of some players for the future and Rutgers has targeted a prospect on the west coast. Cannella has a long list of offers and added Rutgers to the mix this past week.
“Coach Okruch reached out to me earlier in the week and today I talked with him a little bit and he put Coach Ash on the phone and they offered,” Cannella said. “Okruch talked a little about he loved my film and was very impressed with my athleticism. Apparently, the whole staff thought the same as well, so Coach Ash offered me on the phone. He said that one of the coaches will call me later in the week and come see me in person and talk about their program. I don’t know a ton about Rutgers right now, but I’m really interested. I also know they have a pretty new staff up there. Right now, I have plans to take an official to Maryland on December 1st, but I’m not going to plan any other visits till a little bit later."
New Offer
’18 DB Isaiah Hazel (Henry Wise - MD)
The cornerback picked up a Maryland offer first and then added a Rutgers offer this past week. He talked about receiving that latest one from the Scarlet Knights.
“My coach told me that Rutgers offered. It feels good to get the offer, I’m just blessed and it makes me want to work even harder. I don’t know a ton about Rutgers, but my friend Damon Hayes goes there and he’s always saying good things about the school and how they have a good program. He always told me how it’s like a brotherhood over there and much more. I was also pretty hyped the other day when he got that pick-six. Not sure when yet, but I definitely want to head up there soon and check it out.”
Early Enrollees
The Rutgers incoming class of 2017 has some prospects who plan on starting their college careers sooner than others. Here is a look at the confirmed and potential early enrollees in the class of 2017.
ATH Tim Barrow - Still deciding
OL Jamaal Beaty - Yes
OL Micah Clark - Yes
LB CJ Onyechi - Still deciding
OL Samuel Vretman - Yes
Official Visitors
The official visit season will be starting soon and here is an early look at who has already confirmed their official visit dates to Rutgers.
December 2nd
Brendan Bordner (Hilliard Bradley - OH)
Mike Tverdov (Union)
Harrison Hand (Cherry Hill West)
December 9th
Jon Taylor (Salem)
Tim Barrow (Tottenville - NY)
Others
’17 OL Owen Bowles - Dec. 2nd or 9th
’17 DE Hozey Haji-Bardi (Virginia Prep Sports Academy - VA) - Dec. 2nd or 9th
’17 DB Justin Harris (Roswell - GA) planning a Rutgers OV in December
RU Commits in Action
Friday, Oct 28th
Williamstown @ Timber Creek (Naijee Jones)
Wayne Hills @ Wayne Valley (Tyler Hayek)
Toms River South @ Toms Rover North (Bryce Watts)
Cedar Creek @ Haddonfield (Bo Melton, Owen Bowles)
St. John Vianney @ Middletown South (Micah Clark, Jamaal Beaty)
Bridgewater Raritan @ Union (Mike Tverdov)
Cherokee @ Lenape (Jon Lovett)
Clayton @ Salem (Jon Taylor)
Delsea @ Wilson (Edwin Lopez)
Wagner @ Tottenville (Tim Barrow)
Saturday, Oct 29th
Burlington Township @ Pemberton (Everett Wormley)
Liberty @ Freedom (Jaohne Duggan)
St. Peter’s Prep @ Lincoln (Johnathan Lewis) – at Rutgers
West Orange @ Livingston (CJ Onyechi)
Fort Hamilton @ Grand Street Campus (Olakunle Fatukasi)
Phillips Exeter @ Cheshire Academy (Samuel Vretman)
Top Five Keys to Victory in final Four Games
5.) Pressure opposing quarterback
4.) Limit injuries
3.) Improved special teams play
2.) Win turnover battle
1.) Solid QB play
Bobby’s Crystal Ball
RU men's hoops will win four of its first five games
RB Recruiting
Rutgers commit Jon Lovett was offered by Penn State this week as an athlete and has some ties to the school, which means Rutgers is not out of the woods yet. Lovett could possibly play some safety at the next level and there is still the possibility that he could wind up flipping to Penn State.
In the event that Lovett would flip, Rutgers is in very good standing with Bullis School (Potomac, MD) senior running back Devin Darrington, who is very high on Rutgers. If the RU staff were to make a push for Darrington, there is a good chance he would commit without waiting.
DB still waiting on scores
Weequahic senior defensive back Ihmir Marsette is still waiting on his SAT scores to come back as that may be the only thing standing in his way of becoming a Scarlet Knight. As long as the scores look good, Rutgers would likely put the pressure on and try to get a commit out of Marsette. Those scores should be available this week and things could progress sooner rather than later.
JuCo Recruiting
Rutgers has not been shy about starting to recruit Junior College players in an attempt to bolster its roster for next season. Here is a look at a few of the latest targets.
QB Cole Murphy (Coffeyville – KS)
The Kansas native was a member of the 2015 recruiting class and opted to go the JuCo route. He is a dual-threat quarterback, who is playing backup this year. Rutgers expressed some interest, but it would not be as a scholarship player.
“Coach Blazek came by the office today and we talked about football for a little bit,” Murphy told Scarlet Nation this week. “He talked about Rutgers and how they are looking, and where they plan on being going forward as a team. We also talked about a preferred walk-on opportunity. If I did decide to take that opportunity, I would take a visit first before making any decisions.”
QB Jonathan Banks (Independence CC – KS)
The former four-star prospect committed to Kansas State after playing a year of junior college in California and talked about why he left that program.
“I’m a two-for-two at my next school. I left K-State mainly because of politics, I left for my own reasons. They call me all the time and talk about how they want me back.”
Banks has also begun hearing from a variety of schools and commented on the latest.
“I received an offer from Tulane a couple of days ago. I’m also hearing from Minnesota, Colorado, Rutgers, Utah, SMU, and Texas State. Coach Blazek came and watched me practice, followed me on Twitter, and told me they would be in contact soon. He also mentioned about the possibility of an offer.”
In six games this season, Banks has 531 rushing yards with a 6.4 yard average. He has also completed 60.2% of his passes for 759 yards while throwing for seven touchdowns and five interceptions. Independence is 2-4 so far this season.
TE Sal Cannella (Scottsdale CC - AZ)
The tight end position is in need of some players for the future and Rutgers has targeted a prospect on the west coast. Cannella has a long list of offers and added Rutgers to the mix this past week.
“Coach Okruch reached out to me earlier in the week and today I talked with him a little bit and he put Coach Ash on the phone and they offered,” Cannella said. “Okruch talked a little about he loved my film and was very impressed with my athleticism. Apparently, the whole staff thought the same as well, so Coach Ash offered me on the phone. He said that one of the coaches will call me later in the week and come see me in person and talk about their program. I don’t know a ton about Rutgers right now, but I’m really interested. I also know they have a pretty new staff up there. Right now, I have plans to take an official to Maryland on December 1st, but I’m not going to plan any other visits till a little bit later."
New Offer
’18 DB Isaiah Hazel (Henry Wise - MD)
The cornerback picked up a Maryland offer first and then added a Rutgers offer this past week. He talked about receiving that latest one from the Scarlet Knights.
“My coach told me that Rutgers offered. It feels good to get the offer, I’m just blessed and it makes me want to work even harder. I don’t know a ton about Rutgers, but my friend Damon Hayes goes there and he’s always saying good things about the school and how they have a good program. He always told me how it’s like a brotherhood over there and much more. I was also pretty hyped the other day when he got that pick-six. Not sure when yet, but I definitely want to head up there soon and check it out.”
Early Enrollees
The Rutgers incoming class of 2017 has some prospects who plan on starting their college careers sooner than others. Here is a look at the confirmed and potential early enrollees in the class of 2017.
ATH Tim Barrow - Still deciding
OL Jamaal Beaty - Yes
OL Micah Clark - Yes
LB CJ Onyechi - Still deciding
OL Samuel Vretman - Yes
Official Visitors
The official visit season will be starting soon and here is an early look at who has already confirmed their official visit dates to Rutgers.
December 2nd
Brendan Bordner (Hilliard Bradley - OH)
Mike Tverdov (Union)
Harrison Hand (Cherry Hill West)
December 9th
Jon Taylor (Salem)
Tim Barrow (Tottenville - NY)
Others
’17 OL Owen Bowles - Dec. 2nd or 9th
’17 DE Hozey Haji-Bardi (Virginia Prep Sports Academy - VA) - Dec. 2nd or 9th
’17 DB Justin Harris (Roswell - GA) planning a Rutgers OV in December
RU Commits in Action
Friday, Oct 28th
Williamstown @ Timber Creek (Naijee Jones)
Wayne Hills @ Wayne Valley (Tyler Hayek)
Toms River South @ Toms Rover North (Bryce Watts)
Cedar Creek @ Haddonfield (Bo Melton, Owen Bowles)
St. John Vianney @ Middletown South (Micah Clark, Jamaal Beaty)
Bridgewater Raritan @ Union (Mike Tverdov)
Cherokee @ Lenape (Jon Lovett)
Clayton @ Salem (Jon Taylor)
Delsea @ Wilson (Edwin Lopez)
Wagner @ Tottenville (Tim Barrow)
Saturday, Oct 29th
Burlington Township @ Pemberton (Everett Wormley)
Liberty @ Freedom (Jaohne Duggan)
St. Peter’s Prep @ Lincoln (Johnathan Lewis) – at Rutgers
West Orange @ Livingston (CJ Onyechi)
Fort Hamilton @ Grand Street Campus (Olakunle Fatukasi)
Phillips Exeter @ Cheshire Academy (Samuel Vretman)
